I thought you might be wondering about what’s happening during this transition period between the old and new Town Council?
As a result of the municipal election on October 25, our new Council includes three new members – Gary Accursi, Larry Clark, and Catherine King – and three returning Councillors – John Durley, Peter Papp, and Debbie Urbanowicz – and myself.
Shortly after the election I met personally with each Councillor-Elect. We spoke about the transition period, ideas for the new term, and the opportunities Councillors have to serve on various Town committees or Boards – like the Active Transportation Committee or Pelham Public Library Board.
Over the next couple of weeks, Council will get together socially. Staff will host a coffee break to meet the new Council next week. Then, as is a tradition in Pelham, Council will meet socially with Department Heads prior to Christmas as well as participate in the Staff Christmas Party. Council itself will also meet socially over the coming weeks so we can get to know each other as a group.
But, the transition will include much work, too. Prior to the new term, Councillors-Elect will participate in an Orientation Session to learn about all facets of the Town’s services – from Planning to Bylaws, from Fire to Libraries, and from Roads to Parks. We will review the “Conflict of Interest” rules, the procedures used during Council meetings, and the recently approved Councillor’s “Code of Conduct.”
Your new Council will officially make our “Declaration of Office” at our Inaugural Meeting on Wednesday, December 1 from 7:00 PM at the Royal Canadian Legion, Fonthill. This Special Meeting will officially begin the public service of your Council. All are welcome; please join us!
On Monday, December 6 at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers, your new Council wants to hear from you with ideas and suggestions about what we should include in the 2011 Town Budget. All are welcome to this Public Meeting.
We will hold our first official Council & General Committee meeting on Monday, December 13 at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers. Then, Council & General Committee meetings will continue on the first and third Mondays of each month beginning on January 17, 2011.
Finally, in late-January or early-February, we will meet to develop our Strategic Plan – a plan that will guide Council and the Town for the next four years and beyond.
This is an exciting time! I look forward to working with our new Council to continue to improve our Town.
Online journal for Dave Augustyn, Professional Innovation Adviser with basadur.com; Board Member, npei.ca; 2006-18 Mayor, Town of Pelham
Dave Augustyn
Dave Augustyn
Biography
- Dave Augustyn
- As the Town of Pelham’s longest serving Mayor (2006-18), Dave Augustyn worked with Council and Staff to embed innovation and creative problem solving into all aspects of the municipality’s work. “Mayor Dave” also served on Niagara Regional Council, chairing the Region’s $1 billion budgets (2011-2014) and several other committees. Dave serves as the vice-chair of Niagara Peninsula Energy Inc. (an electricity distribution company) and as chair of the Peninsula West Power Corporation (a holding and electricity services company). In addition to the several design and project awards for Pelham, Dave was honoured to receive the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (2013) and the Niagara Business Link 40 Under 40 Award (2007). Dave has helped raise millions of dollars to assist abused women and their children, patients, victims of Alzheimer disease and students in need as a professional fundraiser with various charities. Married with two teenaged children, Dave is also a member of the Liturgy Team at his Church.